function R = readconf(configfile)
% READCONF reads configuration file.
%
% The value of boolean parameters can be tested with
%    exist(parameter,'var')

if nargin<1,
   configfile = 'q.conf';
end;

fid = fopen(configfile);
if fid<0, error('cannot open file %s\n',a); end;

while ~feof(fid)
    line = strtrim(fgetl(fid));
    if isempty(line) || all(isspace(line)) || strncmp(line,'#',1) || strncmp(line,';',1),
	; % no operation
    else
	[var,tok] = strtok(line,' \t=');
	var = upper(var);
	if any(tok==','),
		k = 1;
		while (1)
			[val, tok]=strtok(tok,',');
			R.(var){k} = strtrim(val);  	% return value of function
			eval(sprintf('%s{%i}=''%s'';',var,k,strtrim(val)));  % stores variable in local workspace
		if isempty(tok), break; end;
			k=k+1;
		end;
	else
		tok = strtrim(tok);
		R.(var) = tok;		% return value of function
		eval(sprintf('%s=''%s''; ',var,tok));  % stores variable in local workspace
	end;
    end;
end;
fclose(fid);
whos,     % shows the parameter in the local workspace